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DEDICATION 


OF  THE 


KAPIOLANI  HOME 


DEVOTED  TO  THE  CARE  OE  GIRLS,  THE  CHILDREN 
OF  LEPROUS  PARENTS,  NOT  YET  CONFIRMED 
.IS'  LEPERS,  AND  OTHERS  SUSPECTED 
OF  THE  DISEASE. 


HONOLULU,  NOVEMBER  9,  1885. 


Advertiser  Steam  Print,  Honolulu,  H.  I. 


DEDICATION  OF  THE 


KAPIOLANI  HOME. 


Exercises  Commencing  at  1 1 A.  M., 

NOVEMBER  9.  1885. 


I1.\W.\IIA.\  .\NTHKM KOY.^.  1I.\\V.\I1.\N  H.VNI). 

1 —  Prayer By  Ilis  Lordship  the  Bishop  of  OUhj. 

2 —  Solig  : P]  Ola  ka  Moi,  (Long  Live  the  King,) ...  .By  Leper 

Children,  accompanied  by  the  Royal  Llawaiian  Band 

— Address By  Ilis  Ex.  W.  M.  Gibson,  President  of  the 

Board  of  Health 

4 — Song  : Hoe  a Man,  (tune  : Pull  for  the  Shore)  By  Leper 

Children,  accompanied  by  the  Royal  Hawaiian  Band 

•» — Presentation ...  To  Queen  Kapiolani,  as  Lady  Patroness,  of 
the  Keys  of  the  Home,  when  Her  Majesty  will  declare  the 
institution  opened 

t) — Delivery  of  Keys By  Her  Majesty,  to  the  Reverend 

Mother  Superior  of  Franciscan  Sisters 


DEDICATION  EXERCISES. 


7 — Hymn  : The  Hawaiian  Lepers’  Hymn  . . Hawaiian  version 
composed  hy  His  Majesty  the  King,  arranged  to  music  hy 
Prof.  H.  Berger,  and  sung  hy  Leper  Children,  accom- 
panied hy  the  Royal  Hawaiian  Band 

Hawaiian  Lepers’  Hymn 


1 

Kou  lima  Mana  man 
Na  eha  i kau  mai ; 
Maluna  o niakou  na  ike, 
Kona  huhu,  me  ke  aloha. 


2 

Karibto!  ke  Keiki  man, 

Aloha  i na  Lepera, 

Hoopa  i na  lima,  na  ino  nei. 

Hoola  ( na  palaho. 

3 

Ma  kona  Noho  Alii, 

I'a  ike  maluna  ae, 

Eha  ka  naau  a hoouna  mai 
I kona  Elele  Aloha. 

4 

Kipa  mai  na  ViriKini. 

Hoike  ko  lesu  aloha 
Hooluolu  na  naau, 

Ke  aloha  mai  ka  Lani. 

5 

Na  aloha  mai  luna  mai 
E ola  nei  makou ; 

E ikaika  ka  manaolana 
Ko  ka  Lani  wahi  maha  mau. 

* 

6 

Na  Moi,  na  Alii  pu. 

Me  ka  Lahui  a pau; 

Hoohalike,  hoolana  ae. 

Hookah!  puuwai  aloha. 

8 — Address  to  their  Majesties 
of  the  Branch  Hospital 


1 

The  Almighty’s  chastening  hand. 

A sore  affliction  sends; 

But  trusting  still  we  feel 
His  wrath  with  mercy  blends. 

2 

The  Christ: — His  blessed  Son 
The  Lepers’  woe  did  feel: 

He  touched  the  unclean  sores 
Th’  incurable  did  heal. 

3 

Ascended  to  His  Throne 
He  .sees  from  above. 

Feels  for  oiTr  woe  and  sends 
His  Messengers  of  Love. 

4 

They  come — Good  Sisters  come, 

Tlieir  love  for  Christ  to  prove 

And  soothe  our  stricken  hearts 
With  Heaven’s  divinest  Love. 

5 

These  mercies  from  on  High 
With  which  our  lot  is  blest. 

Make  strong  in  us  the  hope 
Of  Heaven’s  eternal  rest. 

6 

Our  King  and  Queen  and  Chiefs: — 
Hawaiians  everywhere; 

Unite  with  loving  hearts 
In  this  our  hope  and  prayer. 

By  Rev.  J.  Kaaua,  an  inmate 


9 — Hymn  : Home  Maikai,  (Home  Sweet  Home) . Sung  hy 
Leper  Children,  accompanied  hy  the  Royal  Hawaiian 
Band 

HAWAII  PONOI,  (HAWAIIAN  ANTHEM.) 
COXjX.-A^’T'IOI^. 


THE 


DEDICATION  CEREMONIES. 


^hp:  formal  dedication  of  the  Kapiolani  Home  took  place  on 
Monday,  Nov.  9th,  1885,  being  the  anniversary  of  the 
landing  of  the  Franciscan  Sisters  of  Charity  in  Honolulu. 

Eleven  o’clock  was  the  time  fixed  for  commencing  the  ceremo- 
nies of  the  day,  and  shortly  before  that  hour  numerous  carriages 
with  ladies  and  gentlemen  were  driven  across  the  road  from  the 
Immigration  Depot  to  the  Home.  The  greatest  interest  seemed 
to  be  taken  in  the  events  of  the  day  by  the  natives  who  reside 
along  the  line  of  road.  The  rain  of  the  previous  night  had  laid 
the  dust,  and  the  day  was  delightfully  fresh  and  cool,  with  a 
strong  trade  wind  blowing.  The  Queen’s  Own  Volunteers,  com- 
manded by  Captain  W.  F.  O’Connor,  acted  as  a guard  of  honour ; 
and  Colonel  E.  \V.  Purvis,  Vice  Chamberlain,  received  the  guests. 
A company  of  leper  children  occupied  seats  under  the  temporary 
awning  erected  for  their  accommodation  in  the  yard  of  the  Home, 
the  Royal  Hawaiian  Band  occupying  the  town  side  of  the  same 
structure.  The  children  were  clean  and  neatly  dressed,  and 
appeared  to  be  in  vigorous  health.  There  was  hardly  anything 
visible  to  the  eye  to  suggest  an  unpleasant  thought,  but  much 


r; 


DEDICATION  CEREMONIES. 


to  encourage  hope  and  kindly  pleasure  in  the  hearts  of  the 
promoters  and  patrons  of  the  Kapiolani  Home. 

The  Royal  Standard  was  unfurled  from  a flag-staff  inside  the 
grounds  of  the  Home,  as,  promptly  at  11  o’clock,  their  Majesties 
the  King  and  Queen,  accompanied  by  other  members  of  the 
Royal  Family,  drove  up  to  the  enclosure  and  were  received  by 
the  Vice-Chamberlain,  the  Queens  Own  saluting  in  a soldier- 
like manner.  The  President  of  the  Board  of  Health,  His 
Excellency  W.  M.  Gibson  ; the  Honorable  A.  S.  Cleghorn  ; His 
Excellency  Paul  Neumann,  Attorney-General ; and  the  Honor- 
able Colonel  laukea  members  of  the  Board,  who  had  previously 
arrived,  received  their  IMajesties  at  the  entrance  to  the  large 
school-room  where  the  opening  ceremonies  were  to  take  place, 
the  Royal  Anthem  being  played  by  the  band. 

The  room  was  tastefully  decorated  with  palms,  evergreen 
wreaths  and  flowers.  A large  picture  of  Queen  Kapiolani, 
presented  to  the  Home  by  His  lilxcellency  Mr.  Gibson,  was 
luing  in  the  centre  of  the  room,  surrounded  by  wreaths. 
Underneath  this  picture  a beautiful  blue  satin  banner,  having  a 
cross  and  the  letters  K.  H.  worked  in  gold  upon  it,  presented  by 
Mrs  Hayselden,  (daughter  of  IMr.  Gibson)  was  suspended.  On 
either  side  of  the  picture  was  a vase  of  flowers.  The  sides  and 
corners  of  the  room  were  similarly  decorated,  as  was  also  the 
veranda  at  the  main  entrance.  Among  those  present  were  the 
following:  Their  Majesties  the  King  and  Queen,  Her  Royal 

Highness  Princess  Liliuokalani,  Her  Royal  Highness  Princess 
Likelike,  Her  Royal  Highness  Kaiulani,  Her  Excellency  the 
Governess  of  Hawaii,  Honorable  A.  S.  Cleghorn,  His  Excellency 
Walter  1\I.  Gibson,  ^Minister  of  Foreign  Affairs  ; His  Excellency 
Paul  Neuman,  Attorney-General,  and  IMrs.  Neuman;  ^Irs.  C. 
T.  Gulick,  i\Irs.  J.  IM.  Kapena  and  Miss  Kaiiena,  His  Excellency 
George  W.  Merrill,  United  States  IMinister  Resident,  and  Mrs. 
Merrill ; Colonel  C.  H.  Judd,  His  Majesty’s  Chamberlain  ; the 
Right  Reverend  the  Bishop  of  Honolulu,  and  IMrs.  Willis;  the 
Right  Reverend  the  Bishop  of  Olba,  Mr.  Justice  McCully,  Mr. 

LFred.  H.  Hayselden  and  Mrs.  Hayselden,  ]\Ir.  J.  Nakamura, 


DEDICATION  CEREMONIES. 


Japanese  Consul;  Reverend  George  Wallace,  Reverend  C.  E.  | 
Groser  and  Mrs.  Groser,  Fathers  Leonor,  Clement  and  Svlvester.  * 

Reverend  J.  A.  Cruzan,  Reverend  J.  Waiarnau,  Honorable  H.  ^ 

M.  Whitney  and  Mrs.  M’hitney,  the  Marshal  of  the  Kingdom,  | 

Mr.  J.  H.  Soper  and  Mrs.  Soper ; Honorable  W.  J.  Smith,  | 

Honorable  W.  G Parke  and  IMiss  Parke,  Colonel  the  Honorable  | 

C.  P.  laukea.  Majors  Antone  Rosa  and  J.  D.  Holt,  Jr.,  of  the  | 
Governor’s  Staff ; Mrs.  S.  G.  M’ilder,  Captain  and  IMrs.  Tripp,  j 
Mr.  J.  D.  Strong  and  ^Irs.  Strong,  Doctors  E.  Arning,  ^1.  Goto  . ] 
and  E.  C.  Webb  ; Professor  M’.  D.  Alexander,  Honoralile  J.  Keau,  j 
Mother  Superior  IMarianne  and  six  Sisters,  Miss  Gardiner,  Mrs.  | 

Ailau,  Mrs.  J.  A.  Hopper  and  IMiss  Hopper,  Mrs.  J.  M.  Damon,  | 

Mrs.  A.  T.  Atkinson,  Miss  von  Holt,  IMessrs.  S.  M.  Damon,  F.  | 

W.  Damon,  Colonel  Mark  P.  Robinson,  W.  W.  Hall,  Honorable  | 
R.  H.  P>aker,  J.  M.  Poepoe  and  wife,  J.  Wahineaua  and  wife,  J.  | 

\\'.  Naukana  and  daughter,  J.  S.  Kekukahiko,  B.  Kaaua,  H.  | 

Kaumialii.  L.  Xaauao,  Pekelo,  J.  P.  Hanaaumoe,  J.  S.  Kapolena,  | 

A.  P.  Kalaukoa,  T.  Heu,  D.  M'.  Pua.  J.  Akina,  J.  Kanui  I 

and  others.  | 

It  may  be  mentioned  in  this  place  that,  as  a delicate  compli-  j 

ment  to  the  Kapiolani  Home,  which  was  to  be  opened  formally  j 

by  Her  Majesty,  the  King  and  Queen,  His  Excellency  W.  IM.  j 

Gibson,  and  Colonel  Judd,  the  King’s  Chamberlain,  wore  the  i 

Star  of  the  Order  of  Kapiolani.  His  E.xcellency  Mr.  Gibson 
also  wore  the  Star  and  Ribbon  of  Pius  the  Ninth.  The  Bishop  ; 
of  Olba  and  Father  Leonor  likewise  wore  their  decorations,  of 
the  Royal  orders  of  Kalakaua  and  the  Crown  of  Hawaii. 

The  Bishop  of  Olba  read  the  dedication  prayer  in  Hawaiian) 
after  which  the  children  sang  the  song  “Long  Live  the  Kin^’’  : 
in  the  Hawaiian  language,  accompanied  by  the  hand.  • : 


ADDRESS  BY  THE 


PRESIDENT  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  HEALTH 


Excellency  Mr.  Gibson,  the  President  of  the  Board  of 
Health,  then  delivered  an  address  in  the  Hawaiian 
language,  after  which  he  spoke  in  English  as  follows ; 

Your  Majesties,  Your  Royal  Highnesses,  My  Lord  Bishop,  ladies 
and  gentlemen — The  memorable  occasion  which  unites  us  to-day 
not  only  marks  another  day’s  advance  in  the  onward  march  of  the 
Hawaiian  Kingdom  on  the  highway  of  humanity  and  civilization, 
but  records  in  a notable  manner  in  the  dedication  of  this  building, 
an  anniversary  which  should  ever  be  remembered  by  the  Hawaiian 
nation  wdth  deep  interest  and  grateful  hearts.  I allude  to  the 
coming  of  the  Sisters  of  Charity  on  November  8,  1883,  to  assist 
in  caring  for  and  nursing  the  lepers,  and  other  sufferers  among 
our  people.  As  the  8th  of  this  year  fell  upon  a Sunday,  we  were 
constrained  to  arrange  for  the  dedication  on  this  day,  the  9th, 
instead  of  upon  the  actual  anniversar}'.  Let  me  briefly  narrate 
the  history  of  the  benevolent  mission  of  the  Sisters  among  us> 
for  it  would  seem  to  be  peculiarly  appropriate  upon  this  doubly 
interesting  occasion.  It  had  been  felt  for  some  few'  years 
previous  to  their  coming  that  many  sick  among  us  were  afflicted 
with  a disease  so  peculiarly  objectionable  in  its  character  and 


ADDRESS. 


9 


conditions  that  to  cope  with  it,  with  any  possibilities  of  relief,  it 
was  not  alone  sufficient  to  be  provided  with  skilled  physicians 
and  remedies,  but  with  experienced  and  devoted  nurses — es- 
pecially women,  endowed  with  that  rare  devotion  to  the  cause 
of  the  sick  and  suffering  that  arises  solely  from  the  highest 
inspiration  of  Christian  charity.  The  hope  was  entertained  that 
possibly  some  of  those  self-sacrificing  religious  women,  who  had 
devoted  their  lives  to  the  care  of  the  lepers  in  such  institutions 
as  that  at  Tracadie  in  Canada,  might  be  induced  to  exercise 
their  great  charity  in  these  Islands.  In  furtherance  of  the  reali- 
zation of  this  hope,  I had  the  honor  to  address  the  Bishop  of 
Olba  a letter,  dated  .January  4,  1883,  in  which  I informed  His 
Lordship  that  the  care  of  the  sick  poor  of  this  Kingdom  had 
most  earnestly  enlisted  the  sympathies  of  Their  Majesties  the 
King  and  Queen  and  awakened  the  solicitude  of  the  Government, 
that  they  appreciated  the  necessity  for  trained  and  faithful  nurses, 
and  felt  that  nowhere  could  such  invaluable  assistance  be  ob- 
tained so  readily  as  among  the  ranks  of  those  blessed  Sisterhoods 
of  Charity,  who  have,  in  various  parts  of  the  earth  devoted  them- 
selves to  the  care  of  the  sick,  and  I concluded  with  these  words  : 

“ My  Lord,  as  I am  aware  that  eminent  institutions  of  charity, 
such  as  I have  referred  to,  and  which  this  country  needs, 
abound  in  the  Catholic  Church ; and  as  I feel  assured  that  your 
representation  would  be  all  influential,  I make  an  appeal,  and 
offer  an  invitation  through  you  to  Sisters  of  Charity  of  your 
Church  to  come  to  the  help  of  the  sick  of  this  country ; and  I 
doubt  not  I may  proffer  to  them  in  advance  the  profound  ob- 
ligation and  gracious  recognition  of  Their  Majesties,  the  thanks 
of  His  Majesty’s  Government,  and  the  blessings  of  the  Hawaiian 
people.” 

The  Bishop  responded  promptly  and  favorably.  The  Rev. 
Father  P.  Leonor  was  designated  as  the  agent  to  go  forth  on  a 
mission  to  seek  the  much  needed  help ; and  His  Majesty  gave 
to  the  Rev.  Father  a Royal  Commission  to  assist  him  in  his 
quest.  After  arduous,  and  for  a long  time  baffling  endeavors  in 
his  many  applications  to  the  various  religious  orders  in  the 


ADDRESS. 


n: 


United  States,  he  found  at  last,  after  petitioning  over  fifty 
different  religious  Sisterlx)ods,  a favorable  hearing  at  the 
Franciscan  Convent  of  Saint  Anthony,  in  the  city  of  Syracuse, 
in  the  State  of  New  York.  At  this  Convent  the  question  of  the 
great  mission  of  charity  to  care  for  the  lepers  of  the  Hawaiian 
Islands  was  discussed  and  deliberated  in  a solemn  Chapter  of 
the  Sisterhood,  and  I am  happy  to  say  as  a result  of  the 
rei^resentation  made,  and  of  the  noble  enthusiasm  awakened, 
that  no  less  than  tweYity-four  volunteers  among  the  Sisters 
offered  themselves  as  willing  and  anxious  to  go  forth  and  help 
the  hopeless  sufferers  in  the  far  distant  Isles  of  the  Pacific.  Of 
this  number  six  were  selected  as  a pioneer  band,  and  accompanied 
by  the  Mother  Superior  of  the  Convent,  Sister  Marianne,  arrived 
in  Honolulu  on  November  8th,  a.  d.  1883,  by  the  steamship 
Mariposa.  This  little  band  of  heroic  and  faithful  women 
divided  its  forces,  the  Mother  Superior  and  three  of  the  Sisters 
taking  their  post  of  watchful  duty  and  unremitting  toil  at  this 
Hospital,  and  the  three  other  Sisters  going  to  the  Malulani 
Hospital  established  at  Wailuku.  An  additional  recruit  of  four 
Sisters  from  the  Convent  at  Syracuse  arrived  here  on  the  22d 
day  of  April,  1884,  per  steamship  Alameda.  Shall  I speak  in 
praise  of  the  work  done  by  the  Sisters?  I think  not.  Mere 
praise  for  such  work  as  theirs  would  be  entireh'  out  of  place, 
but  I will  say  that  they  have  won  the  hearts  of  our  sufferers 
whom  they  care  for ; and  in  return  let  us  revere  them  in  our 
memories  and  never  forget  the  coming  of  this  American  mission 
of  charity  and  the  “ Landing  of  the  Sisters”  Day. 

Another  anniversary  in  connection  with  our  sad  national 
calamity  is  rapidly  approaching,  for  it  is  now  within  a few  weeks 
of  twenty  t’ears,  since  this  little  State  was  first  called  upon  to 
gird  up  her  loins  and  do  battle  with  the  most  gigantic,  and  sup- 
posed to  be  incurable,  malady  that  has  followed  the  birth  of 
man — a disease  that  was  eating  away  the  very  vitals  of  a once 
numerous  people,  and  one  the  nature  of  which  continues  to  baffle 
the  researches  of  the  most  learned  and  persevering  of  physicians 
in  all  parts  of  the  civilized  world.  Leprosy  may  be  said  to 


ADDRESS. 


11 


have  first  struck  this  nation  about  thirty  years  ago,  or,  at  least, 
it  had  not  attracted  the  attention  of  medical  men  at  an  earlier 
period.  As  soon  as  the  disastrous  effects  of  the  disease  were 
manifest  among  the  people,  the  Hawaiian  Government,  in  a 
brave  and  philanthropic  spirit,  bent  its  energies  to  stay  its 
ravages.  It  was  a great  task  in  view  of  the  limited  resources  of 
this  small  State  and  the  other  important  demands  upon  its 
finances.  On  account  of  the  rapid  increase*and  apparent  epidemic 
character  of  the  disease,  segregation  was  determined  upon  by 
the  Government,  and  the  first  step  taken  was  to  secure  a suitable 
isolated  retreat  where,  by  as  humane  as  possible  a system  of 
separation  from  the  healthy  portion  of  the  community,  the  un- 
fortunate lepers  would  receive  such  care  and  attention  as  would 
alleviate  as  much  as  possible  their  unhappy  condition.  In 
January,  ISGfi,  was  first  commenced  the  Leper  Settlement  of 
Kalawao,  a beautiful  domain  of  about  6,000  acres  in  extent,  on 
the  island  of  IMolokai.  Since  the  establishment  of  the  Settlement 
up  to  this  date  there  have  been  cared  for  within  its  bounds,  as 
sick  wards  of  the  nation,  8,101  lepers,  and  there  are  of  this 
number  689  living  at  this  day.  The  wants  of  these  unfortunate 
people  have  been  attended  to  in  a manner  which,  considering 
our  resources,  would  do  credit  to  the  most  powerful,  wealthy  and 
enlightened  of  foreign  States. 

In  thus  briefly  referring  to  the  work  of  comparatively  but  few 
years  it  must  he  always  borne  in  mind  that  the  calamity  came 
upon  the  nation  somewhat  by  surprise,  and  certainly  with  an 
unanticipated  virulence,  which  required  very  extraordinary 
efforts  to  counteract  in  our  then  state  of  inexperience.  Little  by 
little  we  gained  more  knowledge,  and  with  it  confidence.  We 
called  in  men  of  experience  to  investigate,  assist  and  advise, 
and  have  sought  far  and  wide  for  all  the  information  that  would 
enable  the  Government  to  deal  intelligently  and  humanely 
with  a great  calamity  affecting  the  health  of  the  people.  In  the 
endeavor  to  conquer  or  control  this  malady  by  segregation  and 
care  at  Kalawao  alone,  the  Government  has  expended  during 
the  last  twenty  years  no  less  a sum  than  •1'613,756.  To  this 


12 


ADDRESS. 


I must  be  added  the  cost  of  the  establishment  and  current 
I expenses  of  the  Branch  Hospital  during  a period  of  four  years, 
I and  then  adding  cost  of  medical  services  and  various  incidental 
I expenses  swells  the  expenditure  on  account  of  leprosy  for  the 
I period  mentioned  to  a total  of  fully  if  1,000,000.  The  Government 
I now  expends  in  the  care  and  promotion  of  the  health  of  the  people 
I at  least  one-tenth  of  the  annual  revenues  of  the  Kingdom.  I 
I cannot  recall  to  mind  any  other  country  in  the  civilized  world 
I that  can,  in  comparison,  make  such  an  unhappy  statement,  and 
I yet  one  which  is  so  much  to  the  credit  of  the  humanity  of  the 
I nation.  The  mind  of  the  Legislator  and  philanthropist  can  rise 
I to  no  nobler  work  than  to  benefit  the  sick  and  helpless  of  his 
I fellowmen,  and  to  provide  for  the  general  health  of  the  people. 
I Such  is,  and  ever  should  be,  the  foremost  aim  of  those  who  are 
I entrusted  by  His  Majesty  with  the  administration  of  the  affairs 
I of  this  Kingdom. 

I This  is  not  the  occasion  and  I am  not  a proper  authority  to 
I consider  the  nature  of  the  disease  of  leprosy,  or  to  express  a 
I decided  opinion  upon  the  question  of  contagion  and  consequent 
I segregation.  I have  no  hesitation,  however,  in  saying  that  the 
I question  is  one  that  has  a remoter  interest  than  what  is  popularly 
I entertained,  especially  abroad,  inasmuch  as  while  admitting 
I that  the  malady  is  contagious  underthe  most  favorable  conditions, 
I yet  it  does  not  seem  to  be  more  so  than  many  common  diseases, 
I the  result  of  an  impaired  condition  of  blood,  which  are  generally 
I accepted  as  being  non-contagious,  and  only  become  so  through 
I peculiary  favorable  and  strongly  corresponding  circumstances. 
I Certainly  there  is  nothing  in  the  history  of  the  disease,  or 
I attaching  to  it,  to  cause  the  foreigners  visiting  our  shores  to  be 
I in  the  slightest  degree  apprehensive  of  danger,  inasmuch  as 
I only  seven  out  of  about  eight  hundred  lepers  now  cared  for  in 
I our  hospitals  are  foreigners,  who  have  all  been  long  resident  in 
I the  country,  and  very  intimately  associated  with  the  native 
I people.  It  is  very  hopeful,  also,  to  bear  in  mind,  upon  this 
I occasion  especially,  that  the  medical  wisdom  of  the  wmrld  is 
I being  daily  iircreased  and  enriched  by  patient  research  and 


ADDRESS. 


13 


assiduous  study,  that  many  diseases  long  deemed  incurable,  and 
the  causes  of  which'were  long  thought  to  be  untraceable,  inde- 
finable and  inexplicable,  have  been  brought  under  medical 
subjection  by  the  concentration  of  the  intellectual  forces  of  the 
age.  So  ma}'  it  be  with  the  mysterious  malady  of  leprosy.  I 
trust  that  modern  scientific  investigation  will  solve  the  problem 
that  has  puzzled  the  world  for  ages  and  as  far  back  as  humanity 
possesses  records  and  traditions. 

In  this  Kingdom  every  effort  is  being  made — under  the 
direction  of  Ilis  Majesty’s  (Tovernment — by  able  men  and 
devoted  women,  working  in  the  midst  of  the  dreadful  disease 
it.self,  to  unravel  its  mysteries  and  to  soften  its  horrors.  Not 
only  are  they  by  their  faithful  efforts  striving  to  ameliorate  the 
condition  of  our  own  peojjle,  but  they  are  gathering  light  and 
compiling  valuable  data  and  information  to  be  sent  forth  for  the 
benefit  of  the  sufferers  of  other  nations.  By  exchange  and 
comparison  of  cases  and  experiments  with  the  other  leper 
alllicted  sections  of  the  earth,  important  and  beneficial  results 
are  surely,  if  slowly,  bound  to  ensue.  These  Islands  are  watched 
with  a lively  interest  in  this  connection,  and  in  this  great  labor 
the  Kingdom  of  Hawaii,  limited  though  she  is  in  area,  population 
and  wealth,  marches  nobly  and  creditably  along  side  by  side 
with  the  most  enlightened  and  influential  nations,  ^ly  personal 
observation  leads  me  to  believe  that  we  have  passed  through 
the  worst  of  this  disease,  and  that  there  is  every  reason  to  ho])e 
that  its  virulence  is  now  on  the  decline,  I am  led  to  judge  so 
from  the  facd  that  of  the  total  number  of  cases  sent  to  the  Leper 
Settlement  and  to  the  Branch  Hospital  during  my  tenure  of 
office,  since  May  1882,  barely  three  per  cent,  of  the  number 
indicate  an  origin  more  recent  than  within  one  or  two  years. 

Let  me  now  pass  more  directly  to  the  affair  on  hand.  We  all 
appreciate  most  deeply  the  injurious  effect  this  malady  has  had 
upon  this  nation.  More  especially  has  the  condition  and  the 
future  of  the  children  affected  by  it  touched  the  hearts  and  won 
the  sympathy  of  all  feeling  people.  It  was  felt  by  all  who  have 
considered  the  matter  to  be  almost  an  outrage  that  young 


14 


ADDRESS. 


children  especially  girls  only  suspected  .on  the  ground  of 
heredity  of  being  tainted  and  yet  giving  no  sign  of  this  disease, 
hut  the  rather  evidence  of  being  qualified  to  acquit  themselves 
well  in  the  career  of  life,  should  be  doomed  to  lose  their 
opportunities,  and  be  forced  to  associate  with  those  only 
in  whom  the  malady  had  pronounced  itself.  Consequently 
the  idea  of  a home  for  such  unfortunates  seemed  an 
appropriate  suggestion.  When  spoken  of,  it  at  once  engaged 
the  warm  sympathies  and  interest  of  Her  Majesty  the  Queen. 
Such  an  establishment  seemed  to  be  both  feasible  and  advan- 
tageous, and  I had  the  honor  myself  to  propose  in  the  Legislative 
body  of  1884  the  advisability  of  founding  a refuge  to  be  styled 
the  “ Kapiolani  Home,”  and  to  advise  a vote  for  the  appropriation 
of  $15,000  for  its  establishment  which  was  carried,  but  the 
amount  was  not  immediately  available. — In  view  of  the  action  of 
the  Legislative  body  and  of  the  great  interest  to  the  people  in  the 
establishment  of  such  an  institution,  it  was  thought  proper  to 
lay  the  matter  before  the  community  to  enable  the  generous  and 
charitable  to  participate  in  the  benevolent  enterprise.  A ready 
response  was  made  characteristic  of  an  ever-generous  public, 
and  the  liberal  sum  of  $6,575  has  been  subscribed  for  the  Home 
by  Their  Majesties  and  the  foreign  residents  of  Honolulu.  With 
the  means  in  hand  I,  with  the  sanction  of  my  colleagues  of  the 
Board  of  Health,  was  enabled  to  enter  upon  the  construction  of 
this  building  in  which  we  are  now  seated,  and  which  to-day  is 
hereby,  by  the  presence  and  wish  of  Their  Majesties  the  King 
and  Queen,  to  be  dedicated  to  the  care  and  training  of  young 
girls  not  confirmed  lepers,  but  who  are  suspected  of  the  taint  of 
the  disease.  Many  persons  have  regretted,  and  somewhat 
naturally,  that  such  a home  could  not  have  been  established  in 
some  choicer  location,  more  remote  from  those  who  are  unhappily 
suffering  under  the  worst  forms  of  this  incurable  malady.  But 
under  the  surrounding  circumstances  this  could  not  be,  however 
much  the  fact  may  be  regretted.  The  Government  were  well 
assured  that  for  the  proper  and  beneficial  administration  of  such 
a home  it  was  neceesary  that  it  should  be  cared  for  by  women, 


ADDRESS. 


15 


who,  with  all  the  knowledge,  and  experience  and  apprehensions 
connected  with  such  a fearful  malady,  would  be  willing  to  take 
charge  of  the  home.  Ladies  of  this  noble  and  self-denying 
type — of  whom  I have  already  spoken — were  already  in  charge 
within  these  hospital  grounds.  As  with  their  aid  alone  it  was 
possible  to  carry  out  the  idea  of  such  a home,  and  as  their 
numher  was  not  sufiicient  for  a division  of  forces,  it  was  found 
to  be  absolutely  necessary  to  place  the  home  here  within  this 
enclosure,  where  it  is  possible  for  the  Sisters  of  Charity  to  give 
their  attention  to  it  along  with  the  care  of  the  other  lepers.  And 
here  the  Home  has  been  erected,  and  of  its  details  you  can 
judge.  The  building  has  been  well  constructed,  and  fitted  to 
lodge  conveniently,  with  a view  to  their  health  and  comfort, 
about  fifty  girls.  Here,  although  tabued  from  the  general  society 
of  other  children,  they  may  enjoy  all  the  advantages  that  may 
be  obtained  by  healthy  girls  in  a well  ordered  boarding  school 
e.stablishment.  With  my  experience  of  the  past  two  years  of 
the  labors  of  the  Sisters  in  this  Hospital,  I entertain  bright 
hopes  of  a result  the  most  satisfactory  to  the  most  exacting 
philanthropist’s  mind  and  desires. 


In  the  establishing  of  benevolent  institutions  for  the  sick  and 
infirm  of  all  kind,  it  should  be  remembered  that  they  are  not  so' 
established  on  the  promise  or  assurance  or  the  belief  that  the 
infirm  will  be  cured  or  restored  to  society ; but  it  is  ever  the 
hope  and  the  desire  of  Christian  and  philanthropic  spirits  that 
their  condition  be  ameliorated  and  human  suffering  relieved  ; 
and  that  those  who  have  left  their  homes  and  friends  under  such 
sad  and  distressing  conditions,  and  almost  weighed  down  with 
despair,  may  with  kind  and  considerate  treatment,  be  led  to 
enjoy  life  to  the  extreme  degree  permitted  by  their  afflictions 
without  the  possibility  of  their  being  injurious  to  their  fellow 
beings.  Thus,  then,  we  have  not  founded  our  Leper  Institutions — 
any  more  than  we  have  founded  this  Home — with  any  assurance 
of  cure  and  restoration  to  home  and  family  ; but  as  we  have  seen 
within  this  Hospital  enclosure  those  who,  but  a while  ago,  showed 
too  visible  marks  of  this  loathsome  disease,  and  were  dragging 


<VV^;^VV^;VV^yVV"»^V^^V^^^^VV*■^VV■^>»^<«»»*^/VVVVV^VVVVMM^‘V»  ^ 


ADDRESS. 


out  a most  miserable,  horrible  and  gloomy  existence  under  the 
most  unfavorable  circumstances,  very  much  improved  in  per- 
sonal appearance,  and  not  merely  contented,  but  cheerful,  and  I 
might  almost  say  happy — if  it  were  permitted  to  any  in  such  a 
condition  to  be  happy — and  so  we  have  reason  to  hope  for  a 
greatly  improved  condition  of  the  girls  placed  in  this  Home 
under  the  care  of  the  sisters. 

The  physicians  forbid  us  to  hope  for  cures  here  ; but  fortunately 
their  adverse  opinions  do  not  for  one  moment  deter  the  faithful 
workers  engaged  in  their  labor  of  love,  inspired  by  Him  who 
healed  the  lepers,  from  pursuing  their  kindly  ministrations,  their 
self-allotted  work  being  largely  to  serve  those  who  are  without 
hope  and  without  friends. 

My  task  is  ended,  but  let  me  add  a few'  words.  Hawaii  has 
taken  her  stand  among  the  nations.  W'e  are  honored  by  the 
Sovereign  Powers  of  the  earth.  Our  size  is  not  regarded  so  much 
as  our  spirit — our  spirit  of  enterprise  and  justice.  We  are  invited 
to  the  councils  of  nations  to  consider  questions  of  international 
interest.  We  are  guided  and  inspired  by  a sentiment  of 
national  independence  in  the  promotion  of  all  public  measures, 
whether  of  agriculture,  of  immigration,  or  of  commerce,  and  in 
all  our  diplomatic  relations.  And  the  nations  of  the  earth 
honor  our  King  and  this  Kingdom  for  the  attitude  we  take. 
But  there  is  one  thing  in  our  course  and  action  for  wdiich,  I 
appreciate,  the  enlightened  pow'ers  and  philanthropic  thinkers  of 
the  world  will  honor  us -beyond  anything  else,  and  that  wdll  be 
the  care  and  interest  we  take  in  sufferers  among  our  people  ; and 
that  King  Kalakaua  and  the  Government  of  His  Majesty  make 
it  a chief  feature  of  their  public  action  and  policy  to  provide  for, 
to  comfort  and  nourish  the  tabooed  outcasts — the  hopeless  and 
helpless  sick  of  their  country.  [Applause.] 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  speech,  which  was  well  received 
throughout,  the  native  children  sang  a song,  “ Hoe  a Mau” 
(“Pull  for  the  Shore,”)  with  band  accompaniment.  The  voices 
of  the  children  were  sweet  and  melodious,  and  they  apparently 
entered  into  it  with  much  spirit. 


I 


OPENING  OF  THE  HOME. 


17 


FORMAL  OPENING  OF  THE  HOME. 


.< 


His  Excellency  INlr.  Gibson  then  stepped  forward  and  presented  ^ 


the  keys  of  the  Home,  attached  to  a gold  chain  and  ring,  on  a 
crimson  velvet  cushion,  (presented  by  Mrs.  Gulick  wife  of 

1 

t 

t 

) 


7 

i 

t 

f 

r 

) 

i 

e 

s 

\ 

7 


18 


OPENING  OF  THE  HOME. 


A collation  was  spread  in  the  refectory,  and  done  full  justice 
to  by  the  company ; after  which  the  Band  and  the  Queen’s  Own 
participated.  The  inmates  of  the  Branch  Hospital  had  a treat 
provided  for  them  in  their  own  quarters  afterwards.  The  Royal 
anthem  was  played  on  the  departure  of  the  Royal  party.  At 
the  request  of  His  Excellency  Mr.  Gibson,  the  Queen’s  Own 
gave  an  exhibition  drill  before  the  inmates  of  the  Hospital^ 
who  were  delighted  with  it. 

Thus  terminated  an  event  that  should  be  memorable  in 
Hawaiian  annals  for  all  time. 


SETTLEMENT, 


ON  THE  ISLAND  OF  MOLOKAI. 


VISIT  OK  HIS  EXCKLIvENCY 

Walter  M.  Gibson, 

f 

PRESIDENT  OF  THE  BOARD  OF  HEALTH. 

NOVEMBER  2,  1885. 


TThk  Lbper  Sbtxlkmbnt 


f Revised  Report  of  the  P.  C.  Advertiser. ) 


’r.  Gibson,  the  Premier,  in  the  exercise  of  his  duties  as 
President  of  the  Board  of  Health,  paid  a visit  to  the 
Leper  Settlement  on  Molokai.  In  company  with  Mr.  Fred.  H. 
Hayselden,  Secretary  of  the  Board ; Mr.  R.  J.  Creighton,  Editor 
P.  C.  Advertiser  ; Mr.  J.  Thompson,  Capt.  "Wm.  H.  Tell  and 
]\lr.  H.  Dole,  of  the  Honolulu  Police  Force,  he  embarked  on  the 
Government  tug  Eleu,  at  5 a.  m.  on  Monday,  Nov.  2,  1885,  and 
arrived  at  Kalaupapa,  the  landing  of  the  Settlement,  after  a run 
of  ten  hours  and  thirty  minutes. 

Arrived  off  the  landing  at  Kalaupapa,  a remarkable  and 
interesting  scene  presents  itself.  A tongue  or  point  of  low  land 
runs  out  seaward  from  the  precipitous  cliffs  or  palis  which 
continue  in  a straight  line  until  they  touch  the  sea  again  at 
Kalawao,  three  miles  distant.  On  the  sheltered  slope  fronting 
the  landing  is  seen  what  appears  to  be  a neat  and  pleasant 
village,  the  frame  cottages,  scrupulously  white,  surrounded  by 
fences,  with  more  or  less  attempt  at  cultivation  inside  the 
enclosures.  The  spires  of  at  least  two  churches  were  ^^sible  ; a 
store-house  at  the  landing,  and  a bell  tower  and  band-stand  also 


LEPER  SETTLEMENT. 


21 


close  by,  did  not  suggest  the  idea  of  a leper  settlement,  but 
rather  a prosperous  and  happy  seaside  community.  The 
appearance  of  a steamer  in  the  offing  at  an  unlooked  for  time 
was  evidently  an  event  of  some  importance,  as  the  inhabitants — 
men,  women  and  children — were  seen  trooping  down  to  the 
landing,  or  selecting  places  where  they  could  observe  what  was 
going  on.  Presently  a man  came  off  in  an  outrigger  canoe,  and 
having  ascertained  who  were  on  board  the  steamer,  paddled 
ashore  and  spread  the  news.  Upon  His  Excellency  jMr.  Gibson 
stepping  ashore,  he  was  surrounded  by  an  eager  crowd  of  native 
Hawaiians,  who  manifested  in  a variety  of  ways  their  gladness 
and  satisfaction  at  his  visit.  Three  rousing  cheers  were  given; 
and  His  Excellency  was  escorted  by  his  demonstrative  guard 
to  a spacious  storeroom,  where  he  was  received  by  the  Deputy 
Superintendent  or  luna,  Ambrose  Hutchison,  a half-white  in- 
mate of  the  Settlement.  Soon  after  Dr.  Mouritz,  M.  R.  C.  S.,  Eng., 
resident  physician,  and  the  Rev.  Father  Damien,  of  the  Mission 
of  the  Sacred  Hear?,  rode  over  from  Kalawao,  where  they  reside; 
and  mounted  men  and  women  were  seen  hastening  toward  the 
landing.  They  were  all  well  dressed  and  appeared  to  be  con- 
tent, and  to  want  for  none  of  the  comforts  of  life. 

Mr.  Gibson  Addresses  the  People. 

A general  desire  having  been  expressed  that  the  President  of 
the  Board  of  Health  should  address  the  people,  who  had 
assembled  in  large  numbers  around  the  store.  His  Excellency 
proceeded  to  do  so  from  the  steps  of  that  building.  The  people 
sat  down  in  rows  upon  the  grass,  and  presented  a very  cleanly 
appearance.  A majority  of  those  present  certainly  showed 
visible  marks  of  the  terrible  disease  with  which  they  are  afflicted  ; 
but  not  a few  were  without  spot  or  blemish.  Indeed,  there  are 
several  children,  as  well  as  many  adults,  at  Kalmipapa  who  are 
not  lepers.  About  forty  residents  on  Kuleanas,  original  landowners, 
whose  claims  the  Government  has  not  yet  bought  out,  reside  on 
their  land,  and  they  are  not  generally  afflicted  with  leprosy. 


22 


LEPER  SETTLEMENT. 


Added  to  these  are  the  Kokuas,  (helpers)  or  those  who  volunta- 
rily reside  at  the  Settlement  to  attend  to  leper  relatives,  although 
themselves  free  from  disease.  This  accounts  for  the  apparent 
healthfulness  of  quite  a number  of  those  who  sat  facing  the 
Prime  Minister  as  he  stood  up  to  address  them. 

His  Excellency  reminded  them  of  his  visit  seven  years  ago, 
remarking  that  probably  there  were  not  many  present  now  who 
met  him  upon  that  occasion.  He  had  contemplated  a special 
visit,  in  company  with  Sisters  of  Charity,  for  which  arrangements 
had  been  made.  This  had  been  postponed,  and  now  he  had 
come  alone  on  short  notice,  in  consequence  of  a sad  event  that 
had  taken  place  among  them.  This  had  awakened  serious 
apprehensions  and  anxiety  in  the  minds  of  the  King  and  his 
Government ; but  he  was  happy  to  learn  from  the  evidence  be- 
fore him  that  however  sad  this  particular  event  might  be, 
nothing  in  their  conduct  indicated  that  there  was  in  the  slightest 
degree  any  spirit  of  lawlessness  in  the  Settlement.  He  saw  before 
him  a cheerful  and  law-abiding  people,  though  suffering  under  a 
very  heav}'’  malady.  There  were  many  matters  he  wished  to 
inquire  into  to  satisfy  his  own  mind  and  the  minds  of  his 
colleagues  in  the  Government,  that  the  Settlement  was  properly 
managed,  and  during  his  short  stay  he  would  be  glad  to  meet 
with  them  again,  and  learn  fully  from  them  all  that  might  require 
his  attention  and  possibly  need  correction. 

At  the  close  of  His  Excellency’s  remarks  an  old  leper  said  in 
substance  : “ I remember  perfectly  well  when  the  Prime  Minister 
came  here  as  a legislator  in  1878.  Then  our  living  was  not  very 
good.  We  had  no  lights ; we  had  no  ration  of  soap,  and  other 
things  were  deficient.  Afterwards  kerosene  and  soap  were  sup- 
plied to  us,  and  we  had  an  increase  in  the  ration  of  beef.”  This 
remark  had  reference  to  the  visit  of  a Legislative  Committee,  of 
which  Mr.  Gibson  was  Chairman.  The  Committee  chartered  a 
special  steamer  and  nine  of  its  number  visited  the  Leper 
Settlement.  As  a consequence  of  the  report  presented  by  the 
Chairman  of  this  committee,  the  changes  mentioned  by  the  old 
leper  were  brought  about.  Thus  there  was  a very  substantial 


LEPER  SETTLEMENT. 


23 


reason  why  old  residents  at  the  Settlement  should  remember  the 
former  visit  of  Mr.  Gibson. 

Then  followed  a cordial  greeting  and  an  anxiety  to  shake  the 
Minister  by  the  hand,  while  he  evidently  did  not  avoid  their 
touch.  Indeed,  with  all  present  His  Excellency’s  visit  seemed 
to  awaken  feelings  of  the  liveliest  satisfaction. 

After  looking  at  the  neat  cottages,  churches  and  school  house 
near  the  landing,  and  holding  an  informal  conversation  with  the 
people,  many  of  whom  still  lingered  around,  horses  and  vehicles 
were  procured  and  the  visitors  proceeded  to  Kalawao  to  spend 
the  night,  where  His  Excellency  and  party  were  hospitably  en- 
tertained by  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Mouritz. 

Inspection  of  Kal.\wao. 

On  the  morning  of  the  3d  an  early  start  was  made,  and  the 
serious  business  of  the  day  began  at  Kalawao.  His  Excellency 
visited  all  the  Government  buildings,  and  inspected  the  stores, 
hospital,  dispensary,  etc.,  most  thoroughly,  inquiring  minutely 
into  the  details  of  management,  and  asking  the  people  whether 
they  had  any  complaints  or  suggestions  to  make.  A more  com- 
plete investigation  it  would  hardly  he  possible  to  make  during 
the  time  at  His  Excellency’s  disposal,  and  it  possessed  the 
further  merit  of  disclosing  most  fully  the  normal  condition  of 
affairs  at  the  Settlement.  There  was  no  opportunity  to  prepare 
for  the  visit,  which  was  wholly  unexpected — a surprise,  in  fact, 
to  officers  and  inmates  as  well.  For  this  reason,  the  result  was 
all  the  more  satisfactory,  giving  complete  assurance  of  careful 
and  efficient  administration  in  every  department. 

The  Hospital 


Was  the  first  place  visited.  It  consists  of  fourteen  detached 
cottages  and  buildings  in  a grass  enclosure,  in  which  the  worst 
cases  of  leprosy  are  lodged  and  cared  for.  Several  are  in  very 
advanced  stages  of  the  disease,  but  there  was  no  offensive  smell 


t 


24 


LEPER  SETTLEMENT. 


about  the  apartments  occupied  b}'  them,  which  were  scrupu- 
lously clean  and  well  ventilated.  Their  cots  and  beds  were 
neatly  made  up,  although  the  hour  was  early,  and  the  orderly 
arrangement  of  everything  about  the  dormitories  would  do  credit 
to  a City  Hosjutal.  There  are  fifty  inmates  of  the  Leper  Hos- 
pital at  Kalawao,  of  whom  eight  are  females.  The  w'omen  were 
all  seated  beside  their  beds,  which,  as  a matter  ot  preference  to 
them,  were  neatly  spread  upon  the  floor.  The  men  were  all 
provided  with  cots,  and  in  one  apartment  the  inmates,  on  being 
asked  if  they  wanted  for  anything,  expressed  a wish  for  iron 
bedsteads  instead  of  the  old  wooden  cots  used  by  them,  which 
harbored  vermin.  At  another  cottage,  occupied  by  men  in  an 
advanced  stage  of  leprosy,  the  only  request  preferred  was  the 
simple  one  that  a veranda  be  erected,  upon  which  they  may  sit 
in  the  shade  and  enjoy  the  glorious  sunlight.  This  request, 
from  men  who  are  slowly  rotting  to  their  graves,  was  a touching 
one.  It  showed  that  their  love  of  life  had  not  been  quenched, 
and  that  although  their  bodies  were  decaying  by  inches,  they 
still  had  a lingering  affection  for  the  beauties  of  Nature,  upon 
which  they  are  themselves  so  foul  a blot.  There  were  nine  of 
these  unfortunates  in  this  cottage.  Close  by,  in  a small  cottage, 
sat  an  old  man  and  his  wife,  crooning  together  near  the  door, 
and  greeting  with  lugubrious  “Alohas  ” the  visiting  strangers. 
It  was  a sad  and  pitiful  sight,  this  picture  of  conjugal  affection 
within  the  wards  of  a leper  hospital.  Death  would  have  been 
a happy  release  for  them  ; but  these  aged  people  did  not  appar- 
ently want  to  die.  They  looked  contented,  clothed  with  sores 
and  permeated  by  rottenness,  and  the  only  request  they  had  to 
make  was  that  their  cottage  roof  might  be  patched  in  places, 
the  late  wind  storm  having  displaced  some  of  the  shingles. 
Their  modest  request  will  be  complied  with,  and  they  will  at 
least  spend  the  heavy  burden  of  their  days  in  a well  roofed  cot- 
tage. And  here,  by  the  way,  it  may  be  remarked  that  the  storm 
referred  to  compelled  the  Board  of  Health  to  use  40,000  shingles 
in  repairing  the  roofs  of  cottages  and  buildings  in  the  Settle- 
ment owned  by  the  Government. 


LEPER  SETTLEMENT. 


25 


The  Kitchen  and  Yard. 

The  kitchen  within  the  Hospital  enclosure  is  clean  and  neat 
in  its  appointments.  There  is  a large  army  cooking  range  in 
use,  and  other  necessary  appliances  are  provided.  The  food  for 
Hospital  inmates  and  attendants  only  is  cooked  here.  The  fuel 
is  bought  at  $2.50  per  cord,  of  kukui  wood.  It  is  procured  in 
the  gulches,  cut  and  delivered  at  the  Hospital  for  that  price. 
The  outside  residents  of  the  Settlement  provide  their  own  fuel, 
but  they  use  very  little,  making  a fire  not  more  than  once  a 
week  or  so  to  cook  their  beef  or  rice  ration. 

The  poi  house  was  next  visited.  It  is  within  the  Hospital 
enclosure  also,  and  was  clean  and  sweet  smelling,  and  the  stores 
of  paiai,  or  pounded  taro,  done  up  in  25-pound  bundles,  from 
which  the  poi  is  prepared,  were  sweet  smelling  also. 

The  Hospital  yard  is  well  grassed,  and  an  attempt  is  made  to 
cultivate  flowers.  Sweet  scented  honeysuckle  climbs  up  the 
porch  of  one  of  the  cottages,  while  a few  banana  and  a great 
many  papaia  trees  are  growing,  their  fruit  being  greatly  relished 
by  the  unfortunate  people.  It  is  not  like  an  abode  of  desolation 
and  despair,  purified  as  it  is  by  the  health-giving  ocean  breeze 
that  ever  blows,  nestling  in  the  shadow  of  the  everlasting  hills, 
and  surrounded  by  fragrant  blossoms  of  fruit  and  fiower.  Cross- 
ing the  Hospital  yard,  such  of  the  inmates  as  were  able  to  leave 
their  apartments  were  standing  or  sitting  in  the  sunshine,  and 
looked  pictures  of  doleful  content,  if  one  may  use  such  a phrase 
with  propriety,  hut  it  is  precisely  the  one  which  appears  to  apply 
to  their  case. 

The  Store  and  Dispensary. 

Across  the  road  from  the  Hospital  is  the  market  or  general 
store,  managed  on  account  of  the  Board  of  Health  by  a white 
leper.  It  was  well  patronized  apparently  by  the  residents  W'ho  were 
inside  and  outside  in  considerable  numbers,  arguing  a gratifying 
activity  of  business.  The  profits  from  the  goods  go  back  into  the 
store,  which  is  a great  convenience  to  the  residents  at  Kalawao. 
The  people  at  Kalaupapa,  the  steamboat  landing,  may  obtain 


I their  supplies  at  the  point  from  an  indej)endent  store,  but  some 
I of  them  send  direct  to  Honolulu.  If  absolute  segregation  could 
I be  effected,  the  Government  market  store  would  be  the  only 
t place  where  extras  could  be  purchased.  This  is  hardly  possible, 
I however,  while  Kokuas  or  helpers  are  permitted  to  reside  any- 
f Avhere  at  the  Settlement. 

? The  Dispensary  is  situate  in  a detached  cottage  outside  the 
> Hospital  grounds.  It  is  here  that  Dr.  Mouritz  dispenses  medi- 

I cines  to  the  lepers,  who,  however,  as  a rule,  do  not  obey  instruc- 
y tion.  In  short,  they  are  a very  difficult  people  to  manage,  and 
I cannot  be  compelled  to  attend  to  sanitation  unless  they  become 
I inmates  of  the  Hospital,  and  then  they  are  too  far  advanced 
I with  disease  to  admit  of  any  great  amelioration  of  their  condi- 
I tion  by  medical  treatment.  In  the  earlier  stages  of  the  disease 
I much  may  be  accomplished  in  this  way ; but  in  nearly  every 
I case  the  native  Hawaiian  has  more  faith  in  his  own  kahunas 
I (native  doctors  and  sorcerers)  than  in  the  scientific  treatment 
I of  a medical  man. 

I The  Water  Supply  and  Condition  of  the  Hospital. 

I The  water  supply  is  obtained  from  a gulch  at  the  eastern 
I termination  of  the  tongue  of  land  upon  which  the  settlement 
I is  located.  A dam  has  been  built  and  pipes  laid  to  a reservoir. 
I It  is  thought  that  the  supply  may  be  considerably  increased  at 
I a comparatively  moderate  expenditure. 

I The  condition  of  the  Hospital,  as  has  been  shown,  is  now 
I satisfactory.  In  1878,  on  the  occasion  of  the  visit  of  the  Legis- 
I lative  Committee,  of  which  Mr.  Gibson  was  Chairman,  and  at 
whose  instigation  that  official  visitation  was  made,  its  condition 
i was  very  offensive.  The  buildings  and  general  arrangements 
1 were  very  bad,  the  poor  people  being  in  a deplorably  neglected 
i condition.  From  that  time  dates  the  improvement  of  the  Hos- 
I pital  and  of  the  Settlement  generally,  and  it  has  gone  on  until 
I both  have  reached  their  present  very  high  state  of  excellency. 
I During  the  past  three  years  the  Leper  Settlement  on  Molokai 
I has  been  under  the  control  of  Mr.  Gibson,  as  President  of  the 


LEPER  SETTLEMENT. 


27 


Board  of  Health,  and  he  has  given  unwearied  attention  to  the  de- 
tails of  its  management,  as  well  as  to  those  at  the  Branch  Hos- 
pital at  Kakaako. 

Father  Damien’s  Mission. 


Leaving  the  Hospital  and  store  at  Kalawao  His  Excellency 
proceeded  towards  the  cliffs  that  lie  eastward  of  the  Settlement 
to  get  a view  of  the  source  of  water  supply.  The  road  passed 
through  what  was  the  original  leper  colony  of  Kalawao,  close 
to  a little  bay  at  which  there  is  an  easy  Winter  landing,  and 
where  fish  may  be  caught.  Frame  houses  are  numerous  on 
either  side,  some  of  them  being  surrounded  by  flowers  and 
shrubs  within  the  enclosures,  while  here  and  there  were  banana 
and  papaia  trees,  the  latter  in  full  bearing,  while  the  former  did 
not  look  so  thrifty.  He  was  accompanied  by  Father  Damien, 
who  pointed  out  with  laudable  pride  his  own  residence  and  ad- 
joining church  together  with  the  boys’  school  or  home  which  he 
has  established  close  by.  The  boys  appeared  to  enjoy  themsel- 
ves, and  certainly  manifested  affection  towards  their  teacher 
and  friend.  The  effect  of  leprosy  upon  the  young  is  more  re- 
markable by  far  than  upon  peoj)le  of  mature  years.  It  gives 
them  a prematurely  aged  and  elfish-like  expression  when  the 
disease  affects  the  head  and  face.  Several  of  them  were  in  an 
advanced  stage  of  the  disease.  There  are  thirty  boys  in  the 
Home  established  by  Father  Damien,  where  their  food  is  cooked. 
Here  they  live  under  his  direct  care  and  influence.  Close  by  is 
the  Calvinist  Church,  recently  built ; but  there  was  no  sign  of 
life  or  work  around  or  about  it.  The  Church  of  the  Sacred  Heart 
Mission,  however,  was  surrounded  by  flowers,  and  had  as  appan- 
ages thereto  the  Boys’  Home  and  Father  Damien’s  hospitable 
residence.  A little  farther  on  goin^  eastward  towards  the  bluff 
is  the  Girls’  Home,  founded  by  Father  Damien,  and  under  the 
charge  of  a married  couple,  also  lepers.  The  poor  children,  of 
whom  there  are  twelve,  ran  indoors  at  the  approach  of  strangers, 
and  speedily  robed  themselves  in  their  best  dresses.  Their 
hopeless  affliction  had  not  robbed  them  of  this  feminine  trait. 


28 


LEPER  SETTLEMENT. 


but  several  of  them  bent  their  heads  and  liid  their  faces  in  their 
hands  to  hide  their  distorted  and  unnatural  features.  Surely 
this  is  a terrible  blight  not  only  upon  individuals  but  on  a race  ; 
and  too  much  cannot  be  said  in  praise  of  the  intelligent  foresight 
of  their  Majesties  the  King  and  Queen,  the  Ministry  of  the  da}', 
and  the  Legislature  for  founding  Kapiolani  Home,  in  which  fe- 
male children  of  leper  parents  may  have  a chance  to  escape  the 
curse  which  has  blighted  so  many  of  their  blood  and  sex. 

In  this  connection  it  may  be  added  that  Father  Damien  has 
a spacious  and  really  tastefully  decorated  church  at  Kalaupapa, 
where  he  conducts  religious  service  every  Sunday  morning,  hav- 
ing previously  conducted  Divine  service  in  the  church  at  Kala- 
w'ao.  He  has  also  a cottage  at  Kalaupapa,  where  there  is  a 
school.  Father  Damien  landed  at  the  Kalawao  leper  colony  in 
1873,  where  he  found  800  unfortunates  huddled  together  in  grass 
huts,  living  in  the  most  abject  misery.  The  condition  of  things 
may  be  inferred  from  the  fact  that  he  found  hogs  devouring  the 
dead  body  of  a leper  that  had  been  placed  in  a shallow'  grave 
without  a coffin.  He  set  strenuously  to  work  among  this  w'retched 
people,  and  the  result  is  the  flourishing  mission  of  to-day,  built 
up  at  the  sacrifice  of  his  own  personal  comfort  and  happiness, 
surrounded  only  by  the  sickening  and  repulsive  objects  of  his 
solicitude. 

“ There  are  at  least  a thousand  carcasses  lying  there,”  he  said, 
as  he  pointed  to  the  old  Kalaw'ao  burial  enclosure.  “ The  con- 
dition of  these  people  is  happy  now'  comjjared  to  w'hat  it  w'as  in 
the  past.” 

Mr.  Gib.son’s  Address  at  Kalawao. 

On  the  return  of  His  Excellency  to  Kalaw'ao,  the  people  as- 
sembled in  front  of  the  Hospital,  from  the  veranda  of  the  main 
building  of  which  he  addressed  them  substantially  as  follows : 
After  reminding  them  of  his  former  visit  he  exjDressed  the  sat- 
isfaction he  felt  in  observing  such  a cheerful  and  contented 
spirit.  Their  condition  was  the  object  of  the  special  solicitude 
of  the  King  and  his  Ministry.  Whilst  they  might  be  occupied 
with  important  questions  of  state,  w'ith  the  development  of  im- 


LEPER  SETTLEMENT. 


29 


migration,  commerce  and  agriculture,  yet  the  condition  of  the 
unfortunates  at  this  Settlement  and  Ivakaako  was  ever  a primary 
consideration  in  their  minds.  They  had  done  the  best  they 
could  with  the  means  at  their  command  to  provide  for  them  a 
sufficient  living,  and  he  was  happy  to  see,  on  looking  around  at 
the  neat  looking  dwellings,  and  at  their  own  contented  look, 
notwithstanding  their  great  misfortune,  that  the  provision  which, 
had  been  made  for  them  rendered  their  condition  as  comfortable 
as  possible.  He  had  hastened  here  on  account  of  the  sad  event 
that  had  recently  taken  place.  They  were  all  saddened  in  Ho- 
nolulu and  fearful  that  there  was  a spirit  of  lawlessness  existing 
here,  at  least  to  some  ektent.  Now,  he  was  satisfied  after  in- 
quiry, after  listening  to  the  story  of  many,  after  listening  to 
their  hearty  alohas,  after  looking  at  their  good-natured  faces, 
that  His  Majesty  had  no  better  disposed  subjects  to  abide  by 
the  law  of  this  Kingdom  than  themselves ; and  for  that  reason, 
as  well  as  for  their  special  misfortunes,  they  were  deserving  of 
special  care  and  consideration  by  the  Government.  He  would 
say  in  connection  with  that  event  that  it  was  never  intended 
that  any  of  their  children  should  be  taken  away  from  the  Settle- 
ment without  the  full  consent  of  the  parents.  The  officers  were 
so  instructed  by  the  Secretary  of  the  Board  of  Health,  and  they 
must  have  so  understood  it,  because  two  of  the  parents  of  the 
children  went  with  them  and  were  perfectly  content  with  the 
excellent  prospects  for  their  children  at  Kapiolani  Home.  They 
had  told  him  that  when  they  returned  to  Kalawao  they 
would  be  glad  to  tell  them  all  of  the  good  condition  of  things 
prepared  by  the  Government,  so  that  they  might  feel  well  content 
if  any  of  their  children  should  be  removed  to  Kapiolani  Horae. 


There  was  then  a general  murmur  of  satisfaction,  and  many 
remarks  made  substantially  as  follows : “ We  feel  assured  that 

arrangements  have  been  made  for  the  good  of  our  children,  and 
we  are  sorry  that  any  one  of  us  should  have  misunderstood  what 


Reply  from  the  Inmates. 


LEPER  PE'fTLEMENT. 


was  proposed,  or  tliat  there  should  have  been  any  misapprehen- 
sion about  it.  Our  hearts’ are  sad  at  what  has  been  done.” 

Mr.  Gibson  then  invited  some  of  the  leading  natives  to  state  to 
him  anything  that  was  deserving  of  his'  consideration,  and  also 
to  state  to  him  any  ground  of  complaint  they  had  to  make  on 
account  of  any  matter  or  thing  at  the  Hettlement.  There  being 
no  complaint  made.  Father  Damien,  raising  his  voice,  asked 
them  to  particularize  : Was  their  poi  or  beef  insufficient,  and 
good  or  bad?  What  liad  they  to  say  about  their  treatment  by 
the  officers?  Let  them  make  their  complaint  now  ; there  was  no 
restraint  and  no  one  to  prevent  them.  Still  no  complaint  was 
made.  Everything  was  perfectly  satisfactory  to  them,  only  one 
or  two  asked  to  be  permitted  to  have  an  occasional  change  of 
rations,  and  something  was  said  about  the  slaughterhouse,  which 
Mr.  Gibson  promised  to  have  attended  to. 

Address  and  Leave-taking  at  Kalaupapa. 

This  terminated  the  investigation  at  Kalawao,  and  His  Ex- 
cellency and  party  drove  away  from  the  Settlement  amid  cheers 
and  alohas,  crossing  the  low  ridge  of  land  dividing  the  communities 
and  descending  the  western  slope  to  Kalaupapa,  where  the 
people  were  summoned,  by  ringing  the  Church  bell,  to  listen  to 
the  parting  words  of  the  Premier.  This  was  the  largest  gather- 
ing yet  assembled,  and  it  presented  a much  more  animated 
appearance  than  that  at  Kalawao.  The  grass  plot  in  front  of 
Father  Damien’s  cottage  was  filled  with  people  who  squatted 
upon  the  ground. 

The  Prime  IMinister  spoke  from  the  veranda.  He  referred  to 
the  estahlishment  of  the  Kapiolani  Home,  and  pointed  out  the 
necessity  for  such  an  institution.  He  said  : A home  was  wanted 
especially  for  girls  of  the  native  race,  who,  being  suspected  of 
this  disease,  are  not  permitted  to  attend  any  schools,  and  suffer 
from  the  stigma  in  society.  It  was  felt  that  your  children  who 
had  contracted  the  disease,  or  who  were  barely  suspected  of  being 
so  afflicted,  might  have  their  condition  greatly  ameliorated  and 
their  lives  brightened  by  special  care  and  treatment,  especiall}' 
at  the  hands  of  the  devoted  Sisters  of  Charity,  who  came  from 


i 


LEPER  SEtTLEMENT. 


31 


America,  inspired  by  their  faith  and  love  of  good  to  give  their 
lives  for  the  hope  of  ameliorating  your  condition  and  especially 
that  of  your  children.  >Vith  that  end  in  view  it  was  deemed 
essential  and  proper  to  establish  a Home  which  would  provide  a 
decent  shelter  for  your  female  children  especially,  where  they 
could  be  educated  and  kindly  treated,  and  where  they  would 
live  comfortable  and  contented  lives,  which  would  otherwise  be 
denied  to  them  if  they  were  cast  adrift  with  all  the  odium  of 
this  disease  attached  to  them.  Now,  whilst  we  are  doing  our 
best  for  your  children  we  also  feel  that  you  are  not  to  be  neg- 
lected. We  have  sought  medical  aid  in  all  parts  of  the  world 
for  the  treatment  of  this  disease.  We  have  received  the  assist- 
ance of  a man  of  science  from  Europe  to  study  it.  We  have 
engaged  the  services  of  an  able  and  faithful  medical  man.  Dr. 
Mouritz  to  remain  with  you  here,  and  in  our  endeavors  to  render 
you  every  assistance  we  have  recently  engaged  the  services  of  a 
physician  from  Japan,  who  is  said  to  have  special  skill  in  the 
treatment  of  this  disease,  in  the  hope  that  if  we  cannot  ulti- 
mately eradicate  it  we  may  at  least  make  your  lives  more  en- 
joyable. 

Mr.  Gibson  then  asked  those  present  to  state  fully  to  him  any 
grievance  they  might  have  which,  in  their  condition,  it  would  be 
reasonable  to  entertain.  Three  or  four  spoke  in  reply  and  said 
that  they  had  no  complaint  to  make  about  food  or  clothing,  but 
complained  of  the  abrupt  conduct  of  the  Assistant  Superintendent. 
They  did  not,  however,  accuse  him  of  any  injustice  toward  them. 

Mr.  Gibson  said  in  reply  that  the  matter  spoken  of  would  be 
brought  before  tbe  Board  of  Health  and  fully  considered.  Any 
reasonable  grievance  would  be  removed. 

This  appeared  to  give  the  large  concourse  of  people  entire  sat- 
isfaction, and  the  time  for  departure  haHng  come,  it  was  with 
difficulty  that  His  Excellency  made  his  way  through  the  good- 
natured  crowd  which  gathered  around  him,  and  by  handshaking 
and  alohas  manifested  their  regard  and  good  will.  The  landing 
was  crowded,  and  hearty  cheers  were  given  as  the  boat  contain- 
ing the  Prime  Minister  and  his  party  proceeded  to  the  Eleu, 
which  had  steam  up  waiting  to  depart. 


] 


*1 


MOLOKAI. 


Description  of  the  Leper  Colony 

ON  THIS  ISLAND. 


Social  Condition  of  the  Leper s-—  Their  Mode 
of  Living,  Rations,  Ete.--- Contagious 
or  Mon- contagious— - Conclusion. 

By  ROBERT  J.  CREIGHTON,  Esq,, 
EDITOR  P.  C.  ADVERTISER, 

. HONOLULU. 


MOLOKAI. 


« 


The  Island  of  Molokai  is  the  fifth  largest  of  the  Hawaiian 
Group  and  contains  200,000  acres.  The  northerly  coast  line  is 
very  bold,  precipitous  cliffs  or  palis  coming  down  to  the  water’s 
edge  except  about  midway  between  the  eastern  and  western 
points,  where  an  irregular  tongue  of  land  projects  from  the  cliffs, 
enclosing  about  six  thousand  acres.  There  is  evidence  in  the 
general  configuration  of  this  piece  of  land,  and  in  its  formation 

) 

s 

y 

a 

s 

r 

r 

e 

e 


e 

i 


DESCRIPTION  OF  THE  LEPER  COLONY. 


35 


ejected  from  it,  into  two  divisions,  the  eastern  slope  giving  its 
name  to  the  entire  district,  while  the  western  slope  is  called  after 
the  steamer  landing,  Kalaupapa.  Of  course  both  are  ancient 
Hawaiian  names ; hut  Kalawao  was  the  name  of  the  district, 
Kalaupapa  being  a local  name.  The  soil  is  very  fertile.  It  was 
originally  overlaid  with  scoria  boulders.  Underneath  this  soil, 
which  is  simply  volcanic  ashes  and  decomposed  lava,  lies  a bed 
of  hard  volcanic  rock  that  crops  out  occasionally,  and  forms  a 
solid  barrier  against  the  sea  along  its  northerly  and  easterly 
aspects  at  least  one  hundred  feet  high.  There  is  access  to  the 
beach  at  the  extreme  eastern  point  of  Kalaw’ao,  where  it  joins 
the  ancient  shore  line,  and  at  Kalaupapa  which,  being  more 
sheltered  from  the  sea  and  wind,  does  not  need  such  an  effective 
natural  breakwater.  But  except  at  the  points  ruimed  the 
peninsular  of  Kalawao  stands  full  a hundred  feet  above  the  ocean 
along  its  shore  line.  The  shelter  and  protection  it  gives  to  the 
main  land  along  its  entire  breadth  is  evidenced  by  the  luxuriant 
vegetation  on  the  face  of  the  palis  hack  of  it  and  in  the  gulches, 
where  oranges  and  figs  grow  to  perfection,  as  well  as  valuable 
timber  trees.  But  for  its  ameliorating  influence  the  palis  in  the 
rear  of  Kalawao  peninsular  would  be  as  bare  and  weatherbeaten 
as  those  on  either  side  of  it. 

K.\l.\wao. 

Kalawao  was  an  old  ahupuaa,  or  district  of  land,  belonging  to 
the  ancient  chiefs  of  Molokai,  and  as  its  name  implies — “hog” 
and  “ dress” — was  probably  held  subject  to  a yearly  tribute  to 
the  superior  chief  of  a lard  hog  and  a robe.  It  was  evidently 
the  seat  of  a dense  jjopulation,  and  the  old  natives  speak  of  it 
as  being  famous  for  its  production  of  sweet  potatoes  and  hogs. 
Indeed,  there  is  no  doubt  whatever  that  it  could  supply  the 
entire  population  of  these  Islands  to-day  with  these  food  com- 
modities were  it  applied  to  that  use.  It  is  heavily  grassed  with 
Bermuda  or  manienie  grass,  and  could  easily  carry  10,000  sheep. 
The  ancient  population  have  left  traces  of  their  occupation  in 
numerous  stone  walls,  stone  fences  and  break-winds  ; there  being 


36 


DESCRIPTION  OF  THE  LEPER  COLONY. 


certainly  not  less  than  from  thirty  to  forty  miles  of  such  fences. 
Every  little  holding  or  kuleana  was  securely  fenced  off  with 
stones  gathered  from  the  surface  of  the  ground.  Where  the  ex- 
posure is  open  to  the  strong  trade  wind,  miles  upon  miles  of  low 
parallel  stone  windrows  extend  across  the  land  about  four  feet 
apart,  to  shelter  the  sweet  potato  plants ; and  so  dense  was  the 
population  and  so  precious  appears  to  have  been  the  land,  that 
little  clearances,  about  a yard  si]_uare,  are  carried  along  the  rocky 
sides  of  the  crater  of  Kahukoo  to  its  very  summit.  Yet  this  busy, 
industrial  population  has  disappeared.  About  forty  of  the 
ancient  landholders  remain  and  wage  perpetual  lingual  war  with 
lepers  and  Kokuas  about  metes  and  bounds,  and  that  is  all  there 
is  to  show  for  them  except  the  stone  walls  and  windbreaks.  It 
is  a sad  comment  upon  the  past,  and  points  a moral  which  intelli- 
gent readers  will  not  fail  to  draw  for  themselves. 

The  crater  of  Kahukoo  has  a subterranean  vent  connected  in 
some  Avay  with  the  sea,  because  the  water  which  is  always  in  its 
bottom  is  slightly  brackish  and  is  evidently  influenced  by  the 
action  of  the  tides.  The  settlement  at  Kalaupapa  obtains  water 
from  wells,  while  that  at  Kalawao  has  water  brought  from  a gulch 
in  pipes.  Close  by  this  source  of  water  supply  is  excellent  taro 
land,  hut  it  is  unused  as  the  lepers  could  not  cultivate  taro,  and 
it  would  not  be  expedient  to  permit  Chinese  or  others  to  do  so 
under  existing  conditions. 

Social  Condition  of  the  Lepers. 

The  Leper  Colony  at  Kalawao,  using  this  name  for  the  entire 
district,  is  in  many  respects  unique.  Cut  off  by  nature  from  the 
outside  world,  the  condition  of  the  lepers  has  been  made  as 
favorable  as  circumstances  possibly  admit.  They  are  well  housed, 
comfortably  clothed,  and  provided  with  abundance  of  wholesome 
food,  medicines  and  medical  attendance.  Although  isolated, 
they  are  recognized  by  the  Government  and  society  at  large  in 
the  Hawaiian  Kingdom  as  wards  of  the  Nation,  whose  misfortune 
entitles  them  to  greater  consideration  and  kindness  than  is  ac- 
corded to  less  afflicted  persons.  By  the  nature  of  their  malady 


DESCRIPTION  OF  THE  LEPER  COLONY. 


37 


they  become  outcasts  from  society ; hut  to  the  infinite  credit  of 
the  Hawaiian  Kingdom,  be  it  said,  they  are  not  neglected  on 
that  account  in  the  slightest  particular.  By  tacit  consent  it  is 
assumed  that  the  lepers  on  the  Molokai  reservation  and  at 
Kakaako  Branch  Hospital  have  lost  their  civil  rights,  but 
statutes  nowhere  declare  it,  and  it  is  doubtful  whether  any  C 
in  the  Kingdom  would  sustain  this  “ unwritten  law.”  Nevei 
less,  the  point  is  not  at  all  likely  to  arise,  as  the  lepers  do 
apparently  concern  themselves  with  public  affairs,  being  wl 
engrossed  with  their  own  bodily  ailments  and  requirements 
As  has  been  already  stated,  there  are  about  forty  indivi 
holdings  on  Kalawao  outside  the  Government  reservation.  T 
will  in  time  he  bought  by  the  Government,  thereby  extingi 
ing  all  independent  title.  The  lepers  are  free  tenants  on 
Government  land.  They  have  no  rent  or  taxes  to  pay,  and 
enclose  and  cultivate  a patch  of  land  at  j)leasure.  Many  oft 
do  so,  and  little  colonies  of  them  are  formed  who  squat  an 
the  sheltered  rocky  land  some  distance  from  the  villages 
plant  and  cultivate  sweet  potatoes  for  their  own  use.  A sui 
might  very  easily  he  raised,  but  prejudice  among  people  on 
outside  would  deny  them  a market.  What  is  done  is  then 
on  a limited  scale. 


The  Government  provides  the  lepers  a liberal  ration,  consif 
of  twenty-one  pounds  of  ])oi,  or  of  rice  and  poi,  with  seven  poi 
of  beef,  and  occasionally  mutton.  Although  the  wholesc 
meat  of  the  two,  the  lepers  as  a rule  prefer  beef  to  mutton.  Sal 

IS  nlsn  SPTVPrl  mif  ns  nn  nr*r»nsmnnl  rnfinn  in  linn  nf  Koof  nr  i 


How  THE  Lepers  Live. 


38 


DESCRIPTION  OF  THE  LEPER  COLONY. 


! 


also  a supply  of  clothing  eqivalent  to  a couple  of  blankets  and 
two  suits  given  to  each  individual.  This  ration  is  drawn  by 
young  and  old  alike.  Those  who  have  the  means  or  whose  friends 
take  an  interest  in  them,  erect  comfortable  frame  houses  for  them- 
selves, and  upon  their  death  the  house  is  sold  for  account  of 
their  heirs  to  some  other  resident,  or  is  bought  by  the  Board  of 
Health  and  used  for  housing  those  who  are  without  money  or 
friends.  The  Government  seesihat  all  are  provided  with  com- 
fortable homes.  Those  living  outside  the  Hospital  do  their  own 
cooking  and  washing  ; the  fifty  inmates  of  the  Hospital  are 
attended  to  by  paid  help. 

Taking  a rough  estimate  there  are  between  300  and  400  frame 
buildings  in  the  Settlement,  which  is  divided  into  two  commu- 
nities, the  more  numerous  and  more  active  living  at  or  near  the 
steamer  landing  at  Kalaupapa.  There  is  a “live  public  opinion” 
at  Kalaupapa,  which  does  not  exist  in  such  marked  degree  at 
Kalawao,  where  the  people  are  more  subdued  in  manner  and 
tone.  Frequent  intercourse  from  without  may  account  for  this 
in  jiart  at  the  former  place,  but  it  is  also  largely  owing  to  the 
presence  there  of  a rather  numerous  class  of  people  who  are  not* 
lejiers.  There  may  be  in  the  Settlement  about  150  of  this  class, 
some  of  whom  are  there  to  attend  upon  their  friends,  some  own 
land,  others  are  merely  visitors,  and  others  again  are  employed 
by  the  Board  of  Health.  Of  the  former,  or  Kokuas,  there  are 
ten  on  the  lej^er  roll  from  charity,  thus  enabling  them  to  draw 
rations. 

There  is  a Catholic  and  a Calvinistic  Church  building  at 
Kalaupapa.  and  similarly  also  a Calvinistic  and  a Catholic 
Church  at  Kalawao.  The  Rev.  Father  Damien  ministers  in  the 
Catholic  Churches,  while  a native  preacher  conducts  divine 
service  in  the  Protestant  Churches.  The  Catholic  mission,  is 
however,  by  far  the  more  active. 

The  working  staff  of  the  Leper  Settlement  is  well  organized. 
The  Hospital  management,  under  Dr.  Arthur  IMouritz,  is  simply 
as  perfect  as  it  can  be  made  with  the  appliances  at  command, 
and  the  Government  and  residents  of  the  Leper  Settlement  are 


f 


DESCRIPSION  OF  THE  LEPER  COLONY.  39  I 

to  be  congratulated  upon  securing  the  services  of  so  efficient  and  | 
painstaking  a physician.  A great  deal  depends  upon  the  i 
character  and  methods  of  the  medical  officer  in  charge  of  such  | 
an  institution,  and  judging  from  results  Dr.  Mouritz  is  just  the  | 
man  for  the  place.  lie  married  at  the  time  of  his  taking  charge  | 
of  the  Settlement,  a brave  and  excellent  English  lady,  who  shares  | 
with  him  his  risks  and  his  duties.  He  has  been  in  charge  for  | 
twelve  months,  and  has  certainly  accomplished  a great  deal  in  I 
that  short  space  of  time.  A firm  hand  is  needed  in  the  medical  i 
control  and  management  of  this  people.  < 

Opening  and  Growth  of  the  Settlement.  | 

The  books  at  the  Hospital  show  that  the  Leper  Settlement  | 
was  opened  January  (5,  1866,  although  it  is  common  for  writers  | 
to  make  it  a year  earlier.  Through  the  courtesy  of  Dr.  Mouritz,  ? 
and  by  his  kind  assistance,  an  examination  of  the  books  of  the  J 
Hospital  was  made,  and  tlie  history  of  the  establishment,  as  | 
written  in  the  records,  ascertained  with  sufficient  accuracy  for  1 
^all  ])ractical  purposes.  The  first  year  opened  with  141  lepers  in  i 
the  colony,  of  whom  103  were  males  and  38  females.  The  mortality  | 
for  the  year  was  26.  One  man  died  at  sea  during  transportation  i 
to  the  reservation,  and  ten  were  discharged.  This  is  the  record  \ 
for  1866.  Up  to  November  1,  188/^,  there  were  admitted  3,101  I 
lepers,  of  whom  1,985  were  males  and  1,116  females.  The  record  t 
of  deaths  and  discharged  for  1878  being  incomplete,  it  is  im-  I 
possible  to  give  the  exact  totals  under  these  heads.  It  is  safe,  < 
however,  to  say  that  alj  the  lepers  admitted  up  to  1868  are  dead,  | 
and  that  nearly  all  up  to  1870  have  also  passed  away.  On  the  5 
1st  of  January,  1885,  there  were  717  persons  on  the  leper  roll  at  5 
Kalawao.  The  largest  muster  roll  from  the  foundation  of  the  < 
settlement  was  on  August  19,  1884,  at  which  date  it  stood  at  841,  < 

comprising  512  males  and  329  females.  This  was  during  the  | 
present  Administratian,  and  is  a sufficient  reply  to  the  charge  | 
that  there  has  been  neglect  in  segregating  lepers.  The  second  5 
largest  number  was  on  September  4, 1873,  the  year  Father  Damien  i 
arrived,  when  809  inmates  were  recorded.  With  the  largest  < 


40 


DESCRIPTION  OF  THE  LEPER  COLONY. 


number  of  inmates  to  provide  for,  that  the  records  of  the  Leper 
Colony  show,  the  present  Board  of  Health  has  reduced  the  ad- 
ministration of  affairs  there  to  a system  far  more  effective,  satis- 
factory and  humane  than  was  ever  before  attained.  This  fact 
should  stand  upon  record  in  the  face  of  the  world  to  their  lasting 
honor  and  credit.  The  biennial  appropriation  for  the  Leper 
Settlements  is  $100,000,  and  the  money  has  been  judiciously 
spent.  Had  it  been  otherwise  Kalawao  and  Kalaupapa  villages 
would  have  presented  a very  different  appearance. 

Contagious  or  Non-contagious. 

It  is  not  perhaps  within  the  scope  of  this  article  to  discuss  the 
etiology  of  leprosy,  but  inasmuch  as  this  scourge  is  the  one  blot 
upon  the  country,  it  is  proper  to  state  some  observations  made 
by  the  writer.  There  are  unquestionable  evidences  in  support  of 
the  contagiousness  of  leprosy.  In  each  case,  however,  the  disease 
has  been  very  slowly  developed.  Father  Damien,  who  has  been 
a close  observer  for  twelve  years,  is  convinced  that  the  disease 
is  contagious.  Dr.  Mouritz  is  of  a similar  opinion,  contrary  to 
the  teaching  of  the  Royal  College  of  Physicians  of  England,  oil 
which  scientific  and  learned  body  he  is  a member,  his  mind 
having  been  made  up  from  tracing  the  spread  of  the  disease 
abroad  as  well  as  by  close  observation  and  investigation  at 
Kalawao.  The  manner  in  which  contagion  is  communicated  is, 
however,  a m}"stery — that  is,  it  cannot  be  as  accurately  determined 
as  in  acute  contagious  diseases ; but  when  the  blood  becomes 
poisoned  by  the  virus,  whether  by  inhalation  or  actual  contact, 
its  development,  although  slow,  is  as  certain  and  inexorable  as 
death  itself.  But  there  is  nothing  whatever  in  the  contagiousness 
of  the  disease,  so  far  as  it  is  known,  to  create  general  alarm.  It 
is  not  communicated  by  casual  contact  like  small-pox,  measles 
or  fever.  There  is  no  chance  of  contracting  it  in  the  open  air,  or 
in  street  contact,  in  steamboats  or  in  vehicles  of  transportation. 
Furthermore,  some  persons  are  more  predisposed  to  it  than  others, 
and  persons  in  a low  condition  of  health  are  always  more  liable 
to  contagion  than  persons  in  robust  health.  With  ordinary 
care  and  cleanliness  the  chance  of  leprous  contamination  of  the 


DESCRIPTION  OF  THE  LEPER  COLONY. 


41 


general  public  is  so  slight  as  not  to  give  greater  concern  than  to 
induce  caution.  Consumption  and  cancers  are  contagious  in 
perhaps  greater  degree  than  leprosy  ; but  their  ravages  do  not 
disgust  the  mind  through  the  eye  as  leprosy  does.  For  this 
reason  the  consumptive  and  the  cancerous  are  not  segregated, 
although  if  they  were  in  all  countries  the  fatal  ravages  of  these 
diseases  would  soon  he  arrested,  and  the  average  health  and 
longevity  of  mankind  be  greatly  increased.  But  leprosy,  being 
a repulsive  disease,  suggests,  as  a precautionary  measure,  the 
complete  isolation  of  the  afflicted.  This  is  a very  difflcult  thing 
to  do,  and  it  is  greatly  to  the  credit  of  the  present  and  previous 
Governments  since  1800  that  so  much  has  been  accomplished  in 
that  direction.  This  duty,  at  all  times  difficult  and  unpleasant, 
will  be  rendered  still  more  so  if  the  idea  should  be  spread  abroad, 
as  is  being  attempted  through  a medical  journal  puhlished  in 
California  and  in  part  reprinted  here,  that  leprosy  is  non-con- 
tagious. If  non-contagious,  tlie  compulsory  segregation  of  lepers 
is  an  outrage  which  should  not  be  tolerated.  But  the  evidence 
is  cumulative  and  conclusive  that  it  is  contagious,  at  least  in 
these  Islands,  where  a tierce  form  of  leprosy  prevails  ; and  there- 
fore it  is  the  duty  of  all  good  citizens  to  lend  their  moral  support 
to  the  Government  in  e.xecuting  a law  of  public  safety  which,  in 
its  essence,  imj)Oses  penalties  upon  individuals  because  of  an 
inlliction  of  nature,  often  induced  by  the  noblest  acts  of  self- 
sacrifice  and  love  of  kin  and  blood.  The  natives  have  no  fear 
of  the  disease,  yet  they  believ’e  it  communicable  one  to  the  other. 
The  negative  evidence  adduced  in  the  report  of  the  Royal  College 
of  Physicians,  for  the  purpose  of  sustaining  the  theory  of  non- 
contagion, is  dissipated  by  positive  evidence,  which  the  history 
of  several  cases  at  the  Leper  Settlement  furnishes.  For  example, 
Iloponi,  who  was  declared  a leper  a few  months  ago,  lived 
twenty-seven  years  with  his  wife,  during  twenty-five  of  which 
she  has  been  a leper,  and  during  the  past  five  years  both  have 
resided  at  the  Kalawao  Settlement.  Xow%  this  is  a case  in  w’hich 
the  disease  was  contracted  precisely  as  cancer  or  consumption 
may  be  contracted,  only  its  development  w'as  much  slower.  He 
is  still  a strong  man.  If  he  had  been  a weak  one  the  disease 


* 


>WV>^W' 

I 42 


DESCRIPTION  OF  THE  LEPER  COLONY. 


Avould  probably  have  shown  itself  many  years  ago.  Long  con- 
tact with  the  disease  induced  it  in  his  case.  An  eminent 
English  physician  says  : “ That  though  leprosy  is  not  contagious 
in  the  ordinary  sense  of  the  word,  it  is  nevertheless  propagated 
by  inhalations  of  the  excretions  of  those  affected,  much  in  the 
same  way,  but  not  in  the  same  degree,  as  typhoid  fever  and 
cholera  are  iiropagated ; hut  as  leprosy  is  developed  so  slowly 
there  is  great  difficulty  in  tracing  it  home  to  its  true  source.” 
This  is  precisely  the  experience  with  the  disease  in  this  country. 

Concluding  Remarks. 

These  observations  of  the  leper  colony  on  Molokai  island  are 
written  solely  for  the  purpose  of  presenting  to  the  inhabitants  of 
the  Hawaiian  Kingdom  and  the  wider  world  beyond  its  bounds, 
the  exact  condition  of  affairs  there,  reference  being  only  made 
to  the  past  when  it  became  necessary  to  show,  by  way  of  contrast 
the  steady  and  marked  change  for  the  better  in  its  administra- 
tion and  management.  The  experiment  of  spgregating  the  lepers 
in  1806  was  a bold  one.  It  was  a serious  undertaking  for  a weak 
and  poor  country.  Very  little  was  known  about  the  treatment 
and  care  of  the  disease  ; but  King  and  Government  set  resolutely 
to  work  at  the  humane  and  benevolent  task  before  them,  and 
their  successors  have  kept  on,  until  now  they  have  organized  an 
institution  for  the  care  and  treatment  of  lepers  which  stands  un- 
rivaled of  its  kind  in  the  world.  This  is  not  a party  question. 
It  is  purely  a question  of  humanity;  and  just  in  proportion  as 
denizens  of  this  country  and  native  Hawaiians  realize  and  act 
upon  this  idea,  will  they  hasten  the  happy  time  when  the  fell 
scourge  of  leprosy  shall  be  eradicated. 


' 


•r 


